The winter season is the perfect time for many college students to intake extra calories and become less active and become stressed over finals. With some of us being recent college grads ourselves, we wanted to compile some tips to help you stay healthy and fit (both mentally and physically) during the winter season.
Get Some Sleep
We’ve all done it (and yes, this sounds uberly cliché) but staying up to study until the wee hours of the morning (and those of us more rebellious that may be partying late) causes sleep deprivation.
Sleep deprivation can trigger mood swings, mental fatigue and not to mention car accidents! As a matter of fact, studies have proven that operating a motor vehicle under sleep deprivation is just as dangerous as driving drunk. Don’t drive on campus, you say? Well, you could just as easily walk into a pole under the influence of sleep deprivation! Try to get at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night.
How can I possibly sleep that much with all of my studying, and not to mention my part-time job and social life?!!
- Exercise earlier in the day so your mind and body are cooled down.
- Don't eat, drink alcohol or smoke for two to three hours before you go to bed.
- Avoid taking a hot shower or bathing right before hitting the sack.
- Set a regular schedule to go to bed and get up.
- Sleep in the same room and bed every night.
- Keep the bedroom free of noise and disruptions. (This may be easier said than done if you have a noisy roommate or neighbor – in such cases try running something with constant noise like a fan or radio. We do not recommend running water!)
- Turn your clock so you can't see it. Being able to see the clock can keep you awake.
- And when all else fails, you may need to lighten your schedule and prioritize. It’s not worth an overload if your brain cells aren’t working at full capacity, and you end up flunking out of courses.
Check out additional health and fitness tips from WebMD.
Maintain a Healthy Diet
Look for healthier alternatives that will make you feel more energized in the long run. For instance, choose baked foods over fried, intake wheat or whole grain over white, watch your meal portions, and hop into the vegetarian line at the cafeteria.
If you’re pressed for time, check out the following fast and easy recipes:
- College Budget Recipes
- Good Eats: Quick & Easy for Busy College Students
Notice: Student Lending Works takes NO responsibility for how good and/or healthy the recipes above are! Prepare and consume them at your own risk!
Exercise Your Muscles
In addition to eating healthy, you’ll boost your energy with a good workout. Check out different indoor intramural sports, hit the gym with a friend, snowshoe your way to class, or sign up for a fitness class such as jogging or synchronized swimming!!!
Don’t like sports? Here are some alternatives for you:
- Dance around your dorm or bedroom.
- Clean your room.
- Take the stairs instead of the elevators.
- Manually wash your car.
- Make a snowman or engage in a snowball fight.
Avoid Catching “The Bug”
College is the perfect breeding ground for germs. Before heading to college, you may want to consider vaccinations for common bugs like the flu or meningitis, both commonly found on campus. In addition to receiving annual vaccinations, you may want to practice the following:
- Avoid the sickos around campus, and if you’re the sicko, be sure to cover your mouth and nose!
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Thoroughly wash your hands for 20 seconds (that means using soap and hot water, not just water)!
- Carry some gel hand sanitizer or alcohol-based hand wipes if you ever find yourself being dirty in public places.
- And when all else fails and you’re getting worse, seek your Student Health Services.
Some Seasonal Flu Facts: www.cdc.gov/flu/keyfacts.htm.